How to Communicate on a Date

Ferrera Fresh Tip: GENTS there should never be a dull moment of conversation when on a date with a wonderful woman. Good communication skills on a date will allow her to open up and be more comfortable with you...

While dining, the perfect gentleman knows never to talk with food in his mouth. Finish chewing and then begin to talk. She will rather wait until you finish chewing in order to hear you more clearly. Ask her questions when you see she is not eating or drinking. A good time to ask questions is when she has just finished chewing, not while she is chewing or has just put food in her mouth. Now while she is talking, you chew and eat, which will make for a great dining experience in which you enjoy great conversation while having a meal. 

Yours truly,

Michael Ferrera

www.michaelferrera.com

Can you wear Jeans as Business Casual

No!

Well okay, Maybe!

While jeans have become very stylish and dressy, it is often asked: can you wear jeans as business casual? And the answers is: it depends! The etiquette and proper answer is that there is not a real definition of "business casual." And, if an event calls for business casual, it never calls for jeans to be worn in the given setting. However, Americans often choose to go against the grain for one reason or another so it is important to be aware of what to do in this situation.

To answer this question further I will offer a few things to consider and scenarios that could call for business casual attire. By considering these things when dressing business casual will allow you to always be appropriately dressed.

1. Know your industry. If you're in an industry that calls for you to wear a suit & tie more often than not, jeans are a No. 
2. If jeans are apart of your profession such as denim design or fabric manufacturing, jeans may be Okay.
3. If the business casual event is held in an office or meeting space, jeans are a No.
4. If the business casual event is held in lounge or bar, jeans may be Okay.
5. If the business casual event is held  in hotel lobby or space, jeans are a No.
6. If the business casual event is at a someone's home, jeans may be Okay.
7. If your business casual event is held in a golf club house or private club jeans are a No. 
8. If the person your are attending with or who invited you is not wearing jeans, then No.
9. If you choose to wear jeans as business casual, always wear dark jeans with little or no washes. Darker than traditional blue jeans would be considered dark denim.
10. If you do choose to wear jeans as business casual, also wear a blazer and dress shoes so not to be considered casual.

The next time you or someone you know considers wearing jeans as business casual, consider the 10 tips above first and choose accordingly. Appropriate attire is much more valuable than stylish attire. 

"Life...With Style"

Yours Truly,

Michael Ferrera

The Look

What does RSVP mean?

We have all received invitations that finish with the fancy letters "R.S.V.P" but what does that really mean? You probably know that it means we are suppose to reply if we are coming to the event, but the abbreviation R.S.V.P. actually means Répondez S'il Vous Plaît which is French for "Please Respond." 

The reason we see this phrase R.S.V.P. in the English language dating back to the late 18th Century is that many naturally adopted this French etiquette since it does sound fancy and it is a nice way to abbreviate the long phrase. Yes it all comes down to knowing that you have to reply in regards to your attendance to an event, but it sure is nice to know what the R.S.V.P. means on that next invitation you send out or receive.

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Répondez S'il Vous Plaît sounds like (Re-Pond-Zé-See-Voo-Plāa)

Thanksgiving With Style!

First of all Happy Thanksgiving to all! Thank you for the continued views, blog reads and comments. I know there is a ton of valuable information here at "Life...With Style" by Michael Ferrera and we do our best to continue to provide you with useful information. Nonetheless, it's Thanksgiving week, a short work week, and another week to be thankful simply just for the gift of LIFE!

"With Style" as is in the title of the blog is an additive, a plus, a perk, a choice. But, the fact that we are able to have life in itself is enough for us all to be grateful and thankful all year around. In regards to the Style portion I encourage you to all add as part of life here are 3 Tips to make your Thanksgiving day more enjoyable:

1) Be on time! - This applies to both the host and the guest. If you are the one hosting Thanksgiving meal, make sure your food is prepared when your guest arrive and you are not still cooking! Your guest came to eat not to wait and eat. If you plan to have others cook with you, make sure they are aware of that and there are no surprises. As for the guest arriving to eat, please be on time especially if you are bringing a dish for others to eat. If there is a time set to eat, be respectful to that so that you do not hold up the party. If you know that you will be late because of other engagements, inform the host ahead of time.

2) Converse with Confidence! - Sometimes at holiday parties we are around family members we don't get to see regularly and the conversation can be awkward. I mean, you're technically family but this may be the first time you are meeting or haven't talked in years. The best way to avoid this awkward moment is to engage a third person or join into a conversation with the person you don't know and the person you do know while they are already talking.This gives you a common ground and possible introductions or backgrounds to be explained. After that, continue on talking to that person and get to know them. If you feel like you are the person that doesn't know many guest, you may need to mix & mingle a little more throughout the year. Use Facebook and Twitter to start building on relationships throughout the year!

3) Be Stylish in your Attire! - Yes, it is a holiday but that is not a day to take off your style! So on Thanksgiving day dress with style as your normally would. Do not hold back saying, " I don't want to slip on myself" or "maybe I'm too dressed up." It's cool, be yourself and you might even encourage others to step there style up or may want to direct them to this blog, "Life...With Style." ;) As you may know form reading other post the most important thing is style is being neat & organized!  If you remember these two components at all times your jeans, shoes, hats, or whatever you put on will have more value in your attire.

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving and as usual live Life with Style!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera